Stoke appoint new Youth Academy Director

Stoke City have named Steve Martin as their new Youth Academy director.

The 41-year-old spent six-and-a-half years with Portsmouth, working his way through various roles within the academy set-up.

Martin's move to the Britannia Stadium means he is reunited with Mark O'Connor after both worked together at Pompey.

"This fantastic opportunity makes my decision to concentrate on coaching all the more worthwhile because I was never really going to make it as a player," he told The Sentinel.

"I am really looking forward to the challenge of developing Stoke's Youth Academy."

Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes said: "Steve's attributes will give us a strong focus on player recruitment at this level."